wear your safety equipment ..., while working on the car ... Options

[SirAndy]

so, i went to mcmark's shop today to work on my car. mostly prep work for the engine test-fit.

lots of cutting sheetmetal and grinding down spotwelds etc. then on to cutting out the /4 motor mounts with the plasma cutter.

i *thought* i had it all covered, safety wise, got the goggles, gloves, noise protection ...
spent about 5 hours cutting & grinding.

then, on my drive home, it felt like i had a sunburn on my arms, but i couldn't really see anything.

so after i got home, i take a shower and now i can clearly see that both of my forearms are *covered* with thousands(!) of tiny burn marks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

should have worn something with long sleeves, damm 914club t-shirt ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Andy

[andys]

What's interesting to me, is how little safety is practiced on some of the hot rod/chopper shows when it comes to welding (and other general saftey precautions). I believe it sends a really bad message to those starting out. Every watch Paul jr on Am. Chopper? I'd fire his ass in a heartbeat; really lousey safety practices. On the other hand, Jesse Combs (a young female welder/fabricator for those that don't know) on Extreme 4X4 (I think) always wears the approprite safety gear; at least so far. I've had a 'V' neck burn that discolored and damaged my skin some 20 years ago. Yup, shirt was not buttoned all the way up. Only recently did a dermatologist give me a potion that seems to be getting rid of it quite nicely.

I've managed tool and die, and prototype machine shops for many years. It always amazes me when I see experienced machinists stick their face close to a milling cutter without eye protection. Seems obvious, but you'd be surprised with how often it happens.

Andys